AARP and Livable Communities
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What would happen to your quality of life if you could no longer drive?
It's not an idle question; sooner or later diminished faculties will
force most of us to face life without driving. And the answer depends
almost entirely on where you live. In a thriving small town or urban
neighborhood, where you can get around by foot, bike, or public transit,
going car-less is no big thing. In auto-centric suburbs, on the other
hand, handing over the keys can mean the end of independence. A Senate
committee is considering a bill promoting "livable communities," new or
retrofitted communities that support independent living for those who
can't--or just don't want to--drive. The AARP, which has been on board
with the concept for quite a while now, supports the measure.
For custom builders and residential architects, too, this looks like a
winner. Fewer aging clients forced into assisted living by poor urban planning means more clients remodeling or building new homes that support aging in place. --B.D.S.